JP4213465B2 - Temperature controlled storage system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
(Technical field)
The present invention relates generally to a temperature controlled storage system attached to a vehicle, and more particularly to a temperature controlled storage system holding a portable container that can be mounted and removed from the console of an automobile.
[0002]
(Background technology)
Insulated boxes or containers, commonly referred to as “coolers”, are widely known as providing a method of transport and retention that keeps food, drinks, medicines and other perishable items within a desired temperature range. ing. Generally, these containers are provided with insulating walls to keep the containers within a desired temperature range by reducing heat transfer through the container walls.
[0003]
Another method of controlling the internal temperature of a portable container includes the use of a heat pump, such as a thermoelectric system or vapor compression system, associated with the portable insulated container to actively heat or cool its internals. . Thermoelectric systems utilize solid electronic components that act as Peltier effects and small heat pumps. These thermoelectric systems are formed by a plurality of thermocouples mounted between a plurality of heat sinks and transfer thermal energy from one heat sink to the other by the direction of the direct current supplied to them.
[0004]
Consoles provided in automobiles have been used to provide an enclosed storage area that is accessible to the vehicle occupant. In general, items that are not required to be held at a particular temperature are stored in the console, and the temperature of the console generally corresponds to the ambient temperature in the car cabin. However, it is not preferable to store the perishable items such as food, drinks, medicines, etc. that should be kept within a predetermined temperature range in the console for a long time.
[0005]
All these storage systems are problematic because the portable container does not have a means to actively adjust the internal temperature, or if it has a self-contained heat pump, the heat pump The conventional automobile console does not have a simple, efficient and inexpensive way to adjust the room temperature in it, forming the interior of the room It also does not have a removable portable container that can automatically adjust the temperature of its internals. The present invention addresses these needs.
[0006]
(Disclosure of the Invention)
The present invention provides a temperature controlled storage system that controls the temperature of a removable portable container that is mounted either independently or in an automobile console and contained therein by use of a heat pump. . This system comprises a chamber in which a portable container is housed and a heat exchange member mounted in both the chamber and container walls allows heat transfer between them. A heat pump controls the flow of thermal energy to or from the heat exchange member installed in the room, thereby allowing the temperature in the portable container to increase or decrease.
[0007]
A single pressurized air transfer device is installed in the console to draw or push air through the heat exchanger, the temperature controls the air flow through the transfer device, and recovers heat from the heat pump or adds heat to the heat pump.
[0008]
(Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention)
The temperature controlled storage system of the present invention can be mounted in a vehicle such as a passenger car, truck, van or boat, or functions in a completely independent manner such as a stationary storage arrangement, where the temperature controlled Storage systems are used in homes or hospitals and storage arrangements attached to cars, and in cars this temperature-controlled storage system is used on hunting, camping or office sites. The following description is for the temperature controlled storage system of the present invention mounted on a van, but this description is for illustrative purposes only and the present invention is in no way limited thereto .
[0009]
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a passenger compartment 10 of an automobile, which has a console 12 disposed between both seats 14. The console 12 is generally made of plastic and is a rigid body or housing 16 that is secured to the passenger compartment floor 15 and covered by a protective cover 17. The console 12 includes a single enclosed chamber 18 and a plurality of cup holders 20 that are disposed in front of the storage chamber 18 and recessed into the console body 16. As shown in FIG. 2, the chamber 18 is defined by a front wall 28, a rear wall 26, a bottom wall 22, a side wall 24, and a cover 30. The walls 22, 24, 26, 28 and the cover 30 can be formed of thermal insulation or simply covered with thermal insulation 32 to thermally isolate the chamber 18 from the surrounding environment. The front wall 28 includes an opening through which the heat transfer element 40 extends and forms part of the front wall 28.
[0010]
The heat-conducting element 40 can be composed of solid aluminum or other heat-conducting material with suitable heat-conducting properties, which is in contact with a heat pump such as a thermoelectric system 42 at the end remote from the chamber 18. Yes. The thermoelectric system 42 is connected to a power supply 44 that is mounted in the vehicle, which is like the 12 volt electrical system of an automobile. Insulation 32 is provided around the thermoelectric system to thermally isolate the system from the surrounding environment. The heat sink plates 46 and 48 are fixed to the thermoelectric appliance 50 and act as hot sinks and cold sinks depending on the direction of DC flow supplied from the power source 44 to the thermoelectric appliance 50. The heat sink plate 46 is in thermal communication with the end of the heat transfer element 40 and conducts heat to or from the heat transfer element 40.
[0011]
A removable portable container 120 is provided and is configured to be telescopically housed in the chamber 18. The container 120 includes a front wall 122, a rear wall 123, a bottom wall 124, a side wall 125, and a lid 126 that enclose a chamber 127 for storing items to be temperature controlled. The plurality of container walls and lids are preferably formed of a thermal insulator such as polystyrene or polyurethane to thermally isolate the chamber 127 from the surrounding environment. One opening 128 is provided in the front wall 122 of the container 120, and when the second heat conducting element 129 is provided in the opening and the container 120 is stored in the console chamber 18, the first opening 128 is provided. Two heat conducting elements 129 are configured to be in direct contact with or thermally coupled to the first heat conducting element 40 . One heat conducting member, such as one L-shaped heat exchanger 36, is provided in the chamber 127 and is in thermal connection with or in direct contact with the second heat conducting element 129 , so that heat is transferred to the chamber 127 and Transmission between the second heat conducting elements 129 is possible. The L-shaped heat exchanger 36 forms at least a part of the front wall and the bottom wall inside the container 120. A heat transfer means 130 such as a protrusion is provided on the L-shaped heat exchanger 36, to which an optional removable phase conversion module 131 can be thermally and physically connected through a built-in receiver. I am doing so.
[0012]
In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the L-shaped heat exchanger 36 is at least a portion of the inner wall, not just the front wall 122 of the container 120, and optionally at least the rear wall 123, the bottom wall 124, The heat exchanger covering at least a part of one inner wall surface of the side wall 125 can be replaced. The L-shaped heat exchanger 36 can be replaced by a thermally conductive material such as pyrolytic carbon disposed and / or spread on the inner wall of the container 120.
[0013]
The heat transfer means 130 is not limited to the protrusion provided on the L-shaped heat exchanger, and may have any shape, and may be provided on or in any inner wall surface of the container 120. Provided that they provide sufficient heat transfer to and from the phase conversion module 131. The shape of the phase conversion module 131 can also be changed, and is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. For example, it can be provided as a partition, which is received in a groove provided on the heat conducting inner surface of the container 120.
[0014]
The phase conversion module 131 includes a material that undergoes phase conversion during heating or cooling. In the phase conversion module, the container chamber 127 is not housed in the console chamber 18 and the power supply 44 to the thermoelectric system 42 is cut off. Or, it can be used to help maintain the temperature of the container chamber 127 when the container 120 is contained within the chamber 18 but the heat transfer elements 40, 129 are not thermally coupled to each other. Covers (not shown) may be provided over both the first and second heat conducting elements 40, 129 to protect and thermally isolate them from the surrounding environment and from each other when desired. it can.
[0015]
A single air duct assembly 52 is mounted within the console 12 and is thermally coupled to the thermoelectric system 42. The air duct assembly 52 includes a housing 54 and a solid elongate member 56 that extends from the housing and contacts the heat sink plate 48. The solid elongated member 56 is made of a heat conductive material such as aluminum. A heat radiating fin 58 is provided in the housing 54, and the fin extends from the solid extending member 56. In this way, the heat sink plate, the solid elongated member 56 and the heat radiating fin 58 jointly form one heat sink. The air duct assembly 52 includes an inflow air duct 64, an open area 110 in the housing, and an outflow air duct 66, which circulate with each other to provide airflow through the assembly. provide. The outflow air duct 66 allows air to pass by the heat dissipating fins 58 and the sides of the solid elongated member 56, so that when the container 120 is cooled, heat is transferred to the inflow air and discharged along with the outflow air. The outflow air duct 66 includes a single outflow air passage that faces laterally from the inflow air duct 64. When the container 120 is heated, heat is extracted from the incoming air and transferred to the container by the thermoelectric system 42. In order to actively supply air to the air duct assembly 52, a fan 68 is provided to draw inflow air through the inflow air duct 64, through the elongated member 56, and exhaust into the outflow air duct 110 through the radiation fins 58. To do.
[0016]
FIG. 3 illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, elements having the same functions as those in FIG. 2 are given the same reference numerals having the suffix “A” later. The modified console 12A has a beverage container support member 69 protruding forward and isolated at an upper front position thereof. One beverage container recess 71 is provided in the upper portion of the support member 69, the recess being configured to receive the bottom of the beverage container 80 therein. The modified console 12A includes a beverage container cooler / heater assembly 70 as part thereof, which is a modified heat exchanger 72 having a horizontally disposed upper leg 75 connected to a vertically disposed lower leg 74. It is made. This lower leg 74 is thermally connected to or in direct contact with the heat sink plate 46A of the thermoelectric system 42A so that the thermoelectric system 46A can pump heat to or from the heat exchanger 72. . The upper portion 78 of the upper leg 75 has a recess formed in its upper surface so that the beverage container 80 is seated therein to help transfer heat between the beverage container and the heat exchanger 72. Also incorporated in the temperature control circuit and overheating protection circuit in the present invention, it may help regulate the temperature in the container 120 A.
[0017]
Although the present invention has been described using a thermoelectric device as a heat pump, the present invention is not so limited, and other heat pump systems such as a vapor compression system may also be utilized in the present invention.
[0018]
While the operation of the present invention is believed to be apparent based on the above description, representative operations are outlined below for convenience. If containers 120 A cooling chamber 127 A of contained within console chamber 18 A inside container 120 A is desired, the direct current from the power source 44 A is sent to the thermoelectric system 42 A. The direction of the current thermoelectric system sends the thermal energy from one of the heat sink plate 46 A to the other heat sink plate 48 A. The heat sink plate 46 A sends the thermal energy from the first heat conducting element 56A, the first heat-conducting element 56A sends the thermal energy from the second heat-conducting element 129 A contact state in order, the heat exchanger heat energy Draw in order from 36 A. The heat exchanger 36 A sends the thermal energy from the container chamber 127 A. Thermal energy is accumulated in the heat sink plate 48 A, and is transmitted to the elongated member 56 A and the heat radiating fins 58 A of the air duct housing 54 A. Extension member 56 A and the heat radiating fins 58, the heat energy is transmitted to the air passing through the air duct assembly. Fan 68 A draws air into the inlet air duct 54 in A, and discharges the air from the outflow air duct 66A through the radiation fin 58 A, and an extension member 56 A. Thus, heat is released and sent from the chamber 127 A container 120 A from the air duct 66 A to the atmosphere. If when the container chamber 127 A is desired to be heated is the direction of current supplied to the thermoelectric system reversed and heat is allowed to flow into the chamber 18 A.
[0019]
The embodiment of FIG. 3 includes a chamber 127A similar to that described above in connection with FIG. 2, and can further cool the beverage container 80 outside the chamber 127A simultaneously. Heat exchanger 72 draws heat energy from chamber 127A and from heat exchanger top 78. The heat exchanger top 78 draws thermal energy from the beverage container 80 seated in the recess 71 and cools the beverage contained therein.
[0020]
The flexible container shown in FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of one L-shaped heat exchanger 36, first heat conducting element 40 and second heat conducting element 129. . In this embodiment, the L-shaped heat exchanger 36 is secured to the second heat conducting element 129 in a standard manner. To heat or cool the interior of the container, as in other embodiments, the surface of the second conductive element 129 is placed in contact with the first conductive element 40 and ground. As shown in FIG. 4, both sides of the conductive elements 40, 129 are inclined with respect to the vertical. This arrangement improves the contact between both sides.
[0021]
Other embodiments of the invention include different element types and different materials as well as different arrangements.
[0022]
For example, in certain embodiments, removable portable container 120 may be a flexible bag or a container made of a flexible material. For example, aluminized mylar is a flexible insulation. Thus, the portable flexible container is lightweight and can be crushed for storage. Such containers are still available for the vehicle console 12. The container may include a flexible handle connected to the top of the container. A zipper-type fastener can extend around the three side edges of the flat rectangular top surface of the container. Such a bag-type container comprises one opening from which one conductive element 129 can protrude to contact the conductive element 40 in the console body 16.
[0023]
For embodiments having a flexible container 120, the L-shaped heat exchanger 36 may be made of aluminum and include one aluminum hinge pin. The hinge pin is disposed at a portion where the two sections of the L-shaped heat exchanger 36 are connected. In this way, both sections of the L-shaped heat exchanger 36 can pivot at the hinge pin portion. This allows the flexible bag to be folded for storage. In this way, the flexible container can be reduced in size for the convenience of the user.
[0024]
In another embodiment for a flexible container, the L-shaped heat exchanger 36 can be made of a flexible conductive material such as pyrolytic graphite. This material may be bent to allow the flexible container 120 to be folded or reduced in size.
[0025]
A partial cross-sectional view of the flexible container 120 shown in FIG. 5 illustrates the interface between the flexible container 120 and the housing 16 of the console 12.
[0026]
The flexible container 120 includes integral flexible walls 25, 27, 29. The heat exchanger 36 is fixed to the second heat conducting element 129. The heat conducting element 129 protrudes outside through an opening in the container wall 27. A bayonet-type slide fitting 75 is secured to the container wall 27 around the opening to support the element 129. The bayonet slide attachment 75 is engaged with a bayonet slide receiver 77 attached to the console.
[0027]
The console includes an arrangement similar to that disclosed in FIG. One side of the thermoelectric device 50 is conductively secured to a single heat sink disposed within the air duct assembly. The opposite side of the thermoelectric device 50 is conductively secured to the conductive element 40 in a face-to-face relationship. An insulating material 79 extends around the periphery of the conductive element 40.
[0028]
When the bayonet-type fixture is attached, the flat surface of the conductive element 40 contacts the flat opposing surface of the conductive element 129. This arrangement allows the flexible container 120 to be heated / cooled as disclosed in the embodiments of FIGS.
[0029]
FIG. 6 shows the cooling air flow path through the console. Air enters the inlet chamber 57 in the housing 16 through the inlet 55. Then, the opening 67 of the fan 68 receives the air. A fan 68 cools or drives air across the fins 58, which are shown in broken lines in the flow path in the housing above the fan.
[0030]
In this embodiment, the radiating fins 58 are preferably arranged in rows and columnar needles, allowing the passage of air between them. Thus, unlike the embodiment of FIG. 1, the airflow approaches the fins from the side.
[0031]
As indicated by the arrows in FIG. 6, the air enters the outlet chamber 71 when the air flow leaves the heat sink region. The outlet 73 provides an outlet flow path for the air in the outlet chamber 71. The wall members 81 and 83 define the inlet chamber 57 and the outlet chamber 71.
[0032]
In conclusion, air enters the console through inlet 55 and exits through outlet 73.
[0033]
FIG. 7 is a partially longitudinal side view of the embodiment of FIG. This drawing includes the end wall of the console. FIG. 7 shows the air outlet 73. The air outlet 73 is overlapped on the cross-sectional view and shows a flow path of air passing through the air duct assembly 52. Air enters through the inlet 55 shown in FIG. The fan 68 then drives air upward and traverses the heat sink including the radiating fins 58. The heat sink in FIG. 6 is depicted in block diagram form, but includes a number of fins 58 that extend away from the thermoelectric device 50 and the conductive element 40. The air then enters the exit chamber 71 and exits through the exit 73.
[0034]
The longitudinal sectional view of FIG. 8 viewed in the X direction in FIG. 7 better illustrates the arrangement of FIG. The air inlet 55 allows an air flow to flow into the inlet chamber 57. The fan 68 receives air and drives the air upward to traverse the heat sinks 56, 58 depicted in block diagram form. The air then draws heat from the heat sink, exits the console through the outlet chamber 71 and through the air outlet 73, as in FIG.
[0035]
6-8 show various 90 degree rotations due to the airflow, other arrangements are possible. For example, a direct air flow path across the console is also conceivable. Such an arrangement is a direct passage, passing through the inlet, across the heat sink elements 56, 58 and through the outlet 73.
[0036]
While particular preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed in detail for purposes of illustration, variations or modifications of the disclosed apparatus, including rearrangements of parts, are also within the scope of the present invention. It should be recognized that there is.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a top view of an automobile cabin equipped with a console.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the console of FIG. 1 with the temperature controlled storage system of the present invention attached to an automobile.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of still another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the L-shaped heat exchanger, the heat conducting element 40, and the second heat conducting element 129.
FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment showing the interface between the heat conducting element of the insulation bag and the connecting element of the console.
FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment showing a cooling arrangement in the console.
7 is a partial longitudinal side view of the embodiment of FIG. 6, showing the interface between the console and the cooling arrangement, comprising an air duct assembly 52 with a flexible container.
FIG. 8 is a partially longitudinal side view as seen in the direction of arrow X in FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
16 Housing 18 Chamber 22 Bottom wall 24 Side wall 26 Rear wall 28 Front wall 36 Heat exchanger (first heat exchange member)
42 Thermoelectric system (heat pump means)
120A Portable container 122A Front wall 123A Rear wall 124A Bottom wall 125A Side wall 126A Lid (top wall)

Claims (8)

A temperature controlled storage system,
A housing (16), a heat pump means, and a removable portable container (120);
The housing includes a chamber for receiving the removable portable container therein, the chamber having a front wall, a rear wall, two side walls, and a single wall. A bottom wall and a first heat conducting element (40) forming at least part of the front wall;
Said heat pump means, transferring heat to the first heat-conducting element, or a means for removing heat from the first heat-conducting element,
The removable portable container comprises one front wall, one rear wall, two side walls, one bottom wall, one top wall, and the first heat conducting element . A second heat conducting element (129) provided in the front wall of the container for thermal connection,
The opposing surfaces of the first heat conduction element and the second heat conduction element are in contact with each other with an inclination in a vertical direction, whereby the second heat conduction is performed on the inclined contact surface of the first heat conduction element. A temperature-controlled storage system with an inclined contact surface on the element .   The temperature controlled storage system of claim 1, wherein said heat pump means is a thermoelectric device (50). The temperature controlled storage system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heat pump means is a vapor compression system. The temperature controlled storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the container further comprises a heat exchanger (36) in thermal communication with the second heat conducting element . The temperature controlled storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein each wall of the container is made of an insulating material. The temperature-controlled storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the top wall of the container is removable from the container. The temperature controlled storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the top wall of the container is pivotally mounted on the container. And a pair of bayonet-type slide fittings (75, 77) for securing the first heat conducting element and the second heat conducting element,
One first fixture (75) is secured to the wall of the container around the second heat conducting element;
The other second fixture (77) is a receptacle that is attached to the housing and meshes with the first fixture.
The temperature-controlled storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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